Politics - Principals of Liberal Democracy

LIBERAL DEMOCRACY

Way of describing societies... e.g USA, UK

However, interested normative ideals which shape liberal democracies.

What does it mean?How should it work?

Interested in supporters,and why LD are fair to live in.

Political Theory is...

describing the way the world is

giving reasons why this is better than the other perspective

In a liberal democracy,autonomy is important.

Citizens should have choicesand direct own lives.

However this is maintained under a form of social coordination...

Democratically controlled government.Autonomy through capitalism.

JOHN LOCKE - what would societybe like without government?

State of Nature -all free and equal.

The problem would be thatsome don't follow rules, and soa power is needed to control.

The purpose of government isto secure property and freedomof the people.

The government must rule inthe interests of the people.

CONSENT

Very important.

Explicit + Tacit

We tacit consent by living under thegovernment and obeying laws.

Locke feels there is no need forelections, as people consnt by obeying laws.

DESCRIPTIVE

An account of someoneor something

NORMATIVE

A judgement concernedwith values.

Concerned with good and bad, right and wrong.

DEMOCRACY

Rule by the people.

LIBERALISM

A set of beliefs whichpromotes the freedomof the individual.

Do not agree that tacit consent is enough, unlike Locke.

People must be given their chanceto speak, as in there must be elections.

Must be given chance to PARTICIPATE andbe REPRESENTED.

CAPITALISM

A system based onexchange of property.

CONSENT

To give agreement orpermission. Allowing thegovernment to do things.

Attempting to make judgements

AUTONOMY

Means self-government. The ability to make choicesand decisions about how we live our lives.